| Content | The Shelford Channel is built around Rupert Neve’s first new transformer-gain, class-A microphone preamplifier in over 40 years, a “best-of-the-classics” inductor EQ section, a tone-packed diode bridge compressor, the power of variable Silk saturation, a new dual-tap transformer output stage, and twice the operating voltage of vintage designs.
The Input Stage and Transformer Gain Mic Pre
Like Rupert’s designs from his time in Little Shelford , the Shelford Channel’s preamplifier uses a directly-coupled transformer input with gain provided by the custom transformer itself – a first in over 40 years for Rupert Neve. This new custom-designed input transformer, along with its careful integration with the surrounding class-A circuitry, is critical to the Channel’s bold and instantly recognizable character.
Conveniently, the Direct Input uses the same topology as the best-selling RNDI Active Transformer Direct Interface, providing astonishing clarity for high-Z instrument signals, with unparalleled low-frequency response and an incredibly smooth high end.
What is Silk?
The Silk & Texture circuit on the Shelford Channel allows you to fine-tune the amount (and type) of harmonic content in the output stage. This means your signal can be adjusted from quite transparent to settings that produce nearly 10x the amount of sonic color as Rupert’s vintage modules – and in two very unique modes. No matter what sound you’re looking for, Silk can help get you there.
The Dual Tap Transformer Output
Complementing the Silk circuit is the custom-designed output transformer, which uses Rupert Neve Designs’ unique dual-tap output topology. This offers both full-headroom (+26dBu) and -6dB outputs, allowing the engineer to drive the unit fully into classic transformer saturation without clipping converters and other devices later in the chain.
The “Best-Of” EQ
The Shelford Channel’s 3-band, custom-tapped inductor EQ was inspired by our favorite elements of Rupert’s vintage EQ designs. The low frequency band is designed to produce a creamy, resonant bass response similar to a vintage 1064 – but unlike the vintage modules, the LF band on the Shelford Channel can be used as either a shelf or a peak filter, adding punch, dimension, and control to your low end.
The midrange band is based on that of the 1073, ideal for sweetening vocals and instruments while bringing them forward in a mix, and its proportional “Q” response makes it well-suited for minimizing problematic frequencies. The high frequency band is a hybrid vintage / modern design, blending inductor circuitry with capacitor-based topologies to achieve vintage tones with enhanced control, with the shelf / peak corner switchable between 8K or 16K.
The Diode Bridge Compressor
Like the Inductor EQ and Transformer Gain microphone preamp, the Diode Bridge Compressor in the Shelford Channel is based on the same topologies found in Rupert’s vintage designs – but refined & adapted for the modern engineer.
What is diode bridge compression? Where the VCA compressor found in the Master Buss Processor provides unmatched clarity, the weighty, harmonically rich tonality of diode bridge compression can be essential in pushing key sources like vocals, electric guitars, bass and drums to the forefront of a mix.
By understanding the limitations of vintage units like the legendary 2254, painstaking effort was taken to reproduce the unique tone of these classics while improving the noise floor & accuracy, expanding inflexible time constants, adding full wave sidechain detection for improved dynamic response, and widening the range of threshold and ratio controls.
Delivering the powerful sound of these iconic designs with enhanced flexibility for the modern age, the Shelford’s diode bridge compressor is a dynamic tool equipped to make a statement on virtually any mix or track.
MIC PREAMP
INPUT IMPEDANCE
2200 Ohm
MAXIMUM INPUT
- +21.5 dBu from 150 Hz to 22 kHz
- +8 dBu 20 Hz to 22 kHz
NOISE
- Un-weighted, 22 Hz-22 kHz, source impedance 150 Ohm balanced.
- Main Out @ unity gain -100.9 dBu
- -6 dB Out @ unity gain -106.6 dBu
- +30 dB gain (Main Out) -91.37 dBu
- +66 dB Gain (Main Out) -64.1 dBu
- Equivalent Input Noise -121.37 dBu
FREQUENCY RESPONSE
+/-0.25 dB from 17 Hz to 45 kHz
DIRECT INPUT
MAXIMUM INPUT
8 dBu @ 20 Hz to 120 kHz
NOISE (MAIN OUTPUT)
-100 dBu (22 Hz to 22 kHz)
LINE INPUT
MAXIMUM INPUT LEVEL
+30.5 dBu 20 Hz to 30 kHz
TOTAL HARMONIC DISTORTION AND NOISE
- @ 1 kHz, +20 dBu output level, no load: Better than 0.002%
- @ 20 Hz, +20 dBu output level, no load: 0.05% Typical (2nd and 3rd harmonic)
NOISE (MAIN OUTPUT)
Un-weighted, 22 Hz - 22 kHz, source impedance 40 Ohm balanced, no load.
-101.1 dBu
FREQUENCY RESPONSE
+/- 0.25 dBu from less than 10 Hz to 110 kHz
-0.32 dB @ 120 kHz
MAXIMUM OUTPUT LEVEL
+26 dBu @ 16 Hz to 20 kHz
TOTAL HARMONIC DISTORTION AND NOISE WITH SILK ENGAGED
RED
- MIN TEXTURE @ 100 Hz, +20 dBu input level, no load: 0.0131%, mostly 3rd harmonic (typical)
- MAX TEXTURE @ 100 Hz, +20 dBu input level, no load: 1.66%, mostly 2rd harmonic (typical)
BLUE
- MIN TEXTURE @ 100Hz, +20 dBu input level, no load: 0.0079%, mostly 3rd harmonic (typical)
- MAX TEXTURE @ 100Hz, +20 dBu input level, no load: 0.941%, mostly 2rd harmonic (typical)
HIGH PASS FILTER
- Continuously variable swept frequency from 20 Hz to 250 Hz.
- Slope: 12 dB/Octave
EQ NOISE
Un-weighted, 22 Hz-22 kHz: -92 dBu
SIGNAL PRESENT
Illuminates GREEN when input stage signal level reaches -20 dBu
OVERLOAD INDICATOR
Illuminates RED when input stage signal level reaches -23 dBu
DIODE BRIDGE COMPRESSOR
- NOISE (BW 22 Hz – 22 kHz)
- 0 dB Makeup Gain: -84.5 dBu
- +20 dB Makeup Gain: -64.2 dBu
TIME CONSTANTS
- Measurements taken represent full range achievable between 1.5:1 Ratio and 8:1 Ratio setting.
- 0 dBu I/P 1kHz Burst Tone used for all recorded measurements.
- Fast (TC1): Attack 180µS — 1.8mS // Release 100mS – 150mS
- MedFast (TC2): Attack 750µS – 5.25mS // Release 160mS – 250mS
- Med (TC3): 2.7mS – 18mS // Release 350mS – 525mS
- MedSlow (TC4): 4.6mS – 38mS // Release 600mS – 1 S
- Slow (TC5): 11mS – 72.5mS // Release 800mS – 1.25 S
- Auto (TC6): 5.75mS – 35.5mS // Release T1 400mS – 850mS, T2 TBD
- “Fast” Mode Multiplier: Modifies aforementioned TC’s by 70% of original value
PRODUCT DIMENSIONS
19” (48.3 cm) x 10.5” (26.7 cm) x 1.75” (4.4 cm) | The product that started it all for Empirical Labs. Born of founder Dave Derr’s love of classic compressors like the 1176, LA-2A and Gain Brain (among others), the Distressor incorporates his favorite sonic characteristics of these, along with other unique and interesting features that have made it a staple for audio engineers all over the world. With over 28,000 units in the field, it’s safe to say that the Distressor is one of the best selling high end compressors of all time… if not THE best selling. A prominent recording engineer recently wagered that there probably was not a top 40 record made in the last five years that didn’t have at least one Distressor on it.
Besides providing a wide range of control and a unique feature set, the Distressor offers a warm, vintage sound by using a custom designed gain control circuit. This “warmth” or “vintage sound” has become a major issue in the last few decades, as the super clear and linear digital technology does next to nothing to soften “harsh” sounds, nor emphasize the bass frequencies in music sources. Conversely, older analog tape, vinyl records and tube equipment could not be prevented from coloring the sound, often to the frustration of recording engineers. However, many people now realize that this coloring can be extremely pleasant and musical. Digital technology is often referred to as “cold” and “brittle” among other terms (although we prefer “unforgiving”).
Unique Compression Curves
All eight of the Distressor’s curves are unique and distinctive, from the 1:1 mode that simply warms up signal with low order harmonics without intentional compression, to the “Nuke” setting – a brick wall limiting curve that shines on live drum room mics. Each curve has its own personality and several actually use different circuitry, and are effectively different compressors. Most exceptional is the 10:1 “Opto” ratio which uses separate detector circuitry to emulate the oldest (and valued) “light controlled” devices, such as the LA-2A.
Distortion (Color) Modes
Another large part of the Distressor’s personality and power derive from three modes that color the signal, even without compression. These extended audio modes were designed to allow emulation of some very old and expensive vintage compressors & limiters, and let the Distressor deliver a classic “knee” sound all its own by providing user programmable, warm harmonic distortion. In addition to the basic distortion mode, Distort 2 emphasizes tube-like 2nd order harmonics, while in Distort 3 setting the distortion becomes dominated by 3rd harmonics more closely resembling tape. Two HP filters – one in the audio path, one in the detector path – are also available to help with low frequencies that can cause pumping and breathing.
- Frequency Response – 2 Hz to 160 kHz in clean audio mode (+0, -3 dB). Response is shaped in distortion modes (Dist 2, Dist 3).
- Dynamic Range – 110 dB from max. output to min. output in 1:1 mode. Greater than 100 dB signal to noise in distort 3 mode.
- Distortion – ranges between .02% and 20% depending on distortion mode and release times set on front panel.
- I/O – DC Coupled input and outputs.
- Time Constants – Attack range 50uS – 50mS. Release range .05 sec to 3.5 seconds, normal modes and up to 20 seconds in 10:1 opto mode. Time constants are dependent on ratio.
- Power Consumption – 15 Watts Max.
- Metal Chassis – single height 1.75″ high, 10″ deep, 19″ wide.
- Shipping info – 12.1 lbs mono. Mono box dimensions 22.5″ x 18.5″ x 3 1/4″.
| Firmly rooted in six decades of console design experience, the 5057 Orbit gives your mixes the legendary tonality, power, and wide-open soundstage that only Rupert Neve’s class-A analog summing can provide. Coupled with Rupert’s famous custom audio transformers and Silk Red & Blue circuitry for variable harmonic saturation, the Orbit launches sterile in-the-box mixes to new heights of tone, depth and clarity – without compromising the recallable convenience and repeatability of your DAW-based workflow.
When you push a mix buss and output transformers towards saturation, the non-linear, musical harmonics that occur are what truly glue a recording together and bring it to life.
Rather than using an external summing solution that offers little more than an ultra-clean representation of the in-the-box experience, the Orbit provides the extraordinary richness, harmonic complexity and depth that only a Rupert Neve console can bring to your mixes.
The Orbit utilizes a highly custom output transformer configuration originally developed for the acclaimed Shelford Channel, which provides both a Main Output and a -6dB Output – the latter of which enables you to fully drive the Orbit to achieve more transformer harmonics without clipping the next device in the chain. This unique transformer drive is a hallmark of the sound of Rupert Neve throughout the years – and the sound of countless classic hit records.
Classic Sounds on Demand
Every mix demands its own treatment. In addition to the choice of outputs, the continuously variable Texture control with Silk Red and Silk Blue modes gives you complete control over the harmonic density and tonality of your mix – or lets you keep it utterly pristine and uncolored.
The Silk Red mode accentuates transformer saturation in the high and high-mid frequencies to amplify the vibrant midrange harmonics associated with Rupert’s vintage equipment, while Silk Blue accentuates saturation of the lows and low-mids to add thickness and weight to any source – especially useful for “thin-sounding” mixes. Unlike EQ, these Silk & Texture controls saturate the output transformers, and add highly musical harmonics to the source material according to the amount of Texture applied.
Drive the mix buss hard, choose your Silk flavor, and crank the Texture knob for a rich, saturated, vintage vibe – or disengage Silk entirely for clear, wide-open sonic beauty. The choice is yours.
Build your Dream
While the Orbit is an extremely effective tool on its own, multiple units can be combined through the Buss Link for a higher channel count. The 5057 Orbit can also be used as a building block in an expandable summing system utilizing the 5059 Satellite for flexible summing & routing, and the 5060 Centerpiece for additional mixing and monitoring features.
These units create the core of a world-class analog modular console system rivaling any traditional large-scale studio setup.
Channel Separation and Accuracy
With precisely fixed channel levels and accurate mix buss attenuation via high-quality stepped switching, the Orbit’s purist signal path has vanishingly low crosstalk, and channels matched to within +/-0.1dB. This provides your mixes with the widest and most accurate stereo image, the greatest depth, and the most direct signal path, allowing you to hear every single detail of your mixes.
DAW Based Recall without Compromise
Frequent recalls can be a challenge for modern mix engineers. The Orbit’s elegant simplicity and fixed level accuracy provides rapid, repeatable DAW-based recall from mix to mix, while adding the rich, unrivaled sound quality of Mr. Neve’s class-A transformer-coupled mix buss.
INPUT IMPEDANCE
16K Ohm
FREQUENCY RESPONSE
- 10 Hz to 50 kHz: +/- 0.1 dB
- 150 kHz: -3 dB
NOISE
- From 22 Hz - 22 kHz.
- -90 dBu typical
MAXIMUM INPUT LEVEL
@ 1 kHz: +26 dBu
MAXIMUM OUTPUT LEVEL
@ 1 kHz: +26 dBu
THD+N%
- From 22 Hz - 22 kHz.
- 0 dBu @ 1 kHz: 0.003%
- +20 dBu @ 1 kHz: 0.0006%
CROSSTALK
- 1 kHz: -103 dBu
- 10 kHz: -93 dBu
PRODUCT DIMENSIONS
19” W (48.3 cm) x 9” D (22.9 cm) x 1.75” H (4.4 cm)
SHIPPING DIMENSIONS
24” L (61 cm) x 13” W (33 cm) x 4” H (10.2 cm)
SHIPPING WEIGHT
10 lbs (4.5 kg) | Rackmount PG-X Power Conditioner with PG-90 Filtering Technology, Panasonic and Wima capacitors, eight rear switched, filtered and surge protected outlets, one front-panel switched convenience outlet and USB port for device charging.
Your gear deserves the best power, and we took great care in making sure the PG-X delivers just that — thanks to PG-90 Filtering Technology. In testing, this has provided an average of 90% of noise filtering, as opposed to the typical average of 76% found in other power conditioners at the same price point.
Confidence Inspiring Power
There’s nothing worse than scoring that “must-have” piece of gear, only to find that it’s noiser than should be expected, missing high frequency detail, or even worse — having it fried by power surges!
Black Lion Audio has been trusted for years for modifying the best gear and making it even better, and that’s what it took to create the PG-X: taking industry-standard designs, and improving them to the point of peak performance.
After creating the original PG-1, Black Lion Audio knew that plenty of professionals on a smaller budget felt left out, as some features might not be as important as an economy price-point. The PG-X was built with this in mind, while still providing best-of-class power conditioning!
High-end Filtering
Your gear deserves the best power, and we took great care in making sure the PG-X delivers just that — thanks to PG-90 Filtering Technology. In testing, this has provided an average of 90% of noise filtering, as opposed to the typical average of 76% found in other power conditioners at the same price point.
Professional Power
The PG-X features a bank of eight switched, filtered and surge protected outlets on the back panel. On the front panel, the PG-X sports one unswitched convenience outlet and a USB port for device charging.
It takes more than a few rack-mounted outlets to inspire true confidence in your power conditioner, and that’s where the PG-X delivers: best-of-class power filtering!
- Protects your gear from power-spike damage
- Provides clean, well-regulated power for optimum performance
- Features PG-90 Filtering Technology
- Top-drawer components and design for superior power and noise filtering
- Built with premium Panasonic and Wima capacitors
- Rugged 1U rackmount chassis
- 8 switched, filtered, and surge-protected outlets on rear panel
- 1 filtered convenience outlet on front panel
- USB port on front panel
Type: Rackmount
Number of Outlets: 1 x Front, 8 x Rear
Output Current: 15A
USB: 1 x Type A
Features: High frequency noise filter
Rackmountable: Yes
Power Source: Fixed AC cable
Height: 1.7″
Width: 19″
Depth: 9.8″
Weight: 3 lbs. | The Suhr Reactive Load delivers a simple solution to capture all of the warmth, and dynamics of your sound, without the hassle of miking a speaker cabinet during a live or recorded performance.
The Reactive Load takes the place of your speaker cabinet in your signal chain. It provides an 8Ω load for your tube amplifier (maximum 100 watts), and produces a balanced and unbalanced signal that interfaces with recording devices, effects, and power amplifiers.
The Suhr Reactive Load is the perfect link between your amplifier and computer audio recording interface. You can use the Reactive Load with your existing library of speaker impulse responses (IR) for the most realistic direct recording experience possible.
Traditional resistive load boxes will safely load your amplifier, but they also alter the tone, dynamics, and response of your amplifier. Real speakers do not have a fixed resistance across the entire frequency spectrum. Real speakers are reactive.
The impedance curve of the Reactive Load has been painstakingly tuned to react like a speaker. Your amp will never know the difference.
The Reactive Load is dedicated to being the absolute best load box possible with zero compromises, and therefore does not include speaker emulation. You can use the Reactive Load with your speaker-sim or impulse response of choice, and benefit from the natural response, dynamics, and touch sensitivity of your amp.
The Suhr Reactive Load features a balanced or unbalanced line level output. The INPUT is optimized for the 8 ohm output of your amplifier and the THRU jack can be connected to a physical speaker cabinet. If a physical cabinet is connected to the THRU jack, the Reactive Load’s internal load is bypassed and the amp will see the load of the physical cabinet.
SPEAKER INPUT IMPEDANCE: 8 Ohm
DI / LINE OUT LEVEL: +4 dBu at 7 watts input, maximum level setting
BALANCED LINE OUTPUT IMPEDANCE: Less than 6KΩ
UNBALANCED LINE OUTPUT IMPEDANCE: Less than 6KΩ
MAXIMUM RECOMMENDED INPUT POWER: 100 Watts RMS
ROHS COMPLIANT: Yes
DIMENSIONS: 8.8" (W) x 8.9" (D) x 3.6" (H)
WEIGHT: 6.6lb | There’s no doubt that when it comes to power, musicians have it bad. Whether it’s modern modeling amplifiers, or vintage synthesizers, bad power is gonna be heard throughout your signal. And it’s everywhere — in homes, on stages, and especially in many rehearsal rooms.
Black Lion Audio has been trusted for years for modifying the best gear and making it even better, and that’s what it took to create the PG-P: taking industry-standard designs, and improving them to the point of peak performance.
After creating an entire lineup of industry-best power conditioners, Black Lion Audio felt it was time to give the world proper portable power. The PG-P might look like a run-of-the-mill surge protector, but in reality it’s a studio-class power conditioner — PG-P doesn’t just provide more noise filtering than other portable conditioners, it provides the same noise filtering found in the majority of the world’s rack-mount power conditioners!
Your gear deserves the best power, and Black Lion Audio took great care in making sure the PG-P delivers just that — thanks to it’s PG-P Filtering Technology. The PG-P is built using premium Panasonic capacitors, due to their superior execution in eliminating high frequency noise that robs equipment of its peak performance. In testing, this has provided an average of 3x the noise filtering of other portable power conditioners at the same price point. Six wall-wart spaced outlets provide studio-grade power on the go; perfect for any musician’s rig!
- PG-P Filtering Technology for an average of 3x the noise reduction of other portable power conditioners
- The same noise filtering found in the majority of rack-mount power conditioners
- 6 wall-wart spaced outlet power conditioner
- Status LEDs for quick power analysis
- High-end Panasonic capacitors to filter out performance-robbing high-frequency noise
- Tour-grade 9ft power cable
- Proper safeguard protection with a power absorption rating of 540 joules
- Recessed feet keep the PG-P from sliding, while still providing mounting options (screw mount, velcro, etc.)
- Rounded corners make for a gentle surface area for smaller power cords.
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